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Tutorial: Configuring an Email Account in Mozilla Thunderbird

This tutorial has been written by our Technical Support Officer Paul Traynor. Here are some useful instructions on configuring an email account in Mozilla Thunderbird.

After the installation of Thunderbird and it is opened up on screen, open the “View menu”, “Alt + V and arrow down to “Toolbars submenu”. Right arrow in here and make sure that:

* Menu Bar is “Checked”

* Filter Bar is “Unchecked”

* Status bar is “Checked”

Note: Use the “Enter key” to check these items. Otherwise use the left click of the mouse.

2. Go into the “View menu” and arrow down to “Layout”. Here make the following changes;

* Classic view is “Checked”

* Message pane “F8” is “Unchecked”

Note: Use the “Enter key” to check or uncheck these items. Otherwise use the left click of the mouse.

3. Go into the “View menu” and arrow down to “Sort by” and change the following:

* Sort descending is “Checked”

* Date is “Checked”

Note: This means that any newly received messages will be placed at the top of your emails list.

4. Go back into the “View menu” and arrow down to, “Message body as sub menu” and make the following change:

* Plain text is “Checked”

Note: This is a personal preference change. I just prefer plain text but the option is up to the individual.

Implementing the above changes in Thunderbird will give it a pretty clean view for a screen reader to operate in. You will only have four items to tab between as follows:

* Folder list

* Message list

* Tab indicator

* Search edit box

Note: Use your “Tab key” to move between the above objects.

When in the message list just use the “up or down arrows” to move between messages, press the “Enter key” to open a message.

Use the following keys to either forward or reply to a message:

* “Control + R” to reply to an individual mail

* “Control + Shift + R”, reply to all

*Forward a message, “Control + L”

When you have written up a new message or are replying or forwarding a message use keys, “Control + Enter key” to send off the message, you will now be placed back into the Inbox and your list of messages.

After reading a message use keys:

* “Control + W” to close out of that particular message and back to your mails list